TL;DR
- Thailand’s SEC is drafting a rulebook for crypto ETFs, futures, and tokenized instruments, advancing last year’s in-principle ETF approval.
- Proposed ETFs pair asset managers with licensed exchanges and could list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, easing access and custody concerns.
- SEC also seeks derivatives recognition for crypto, a sandbox for bond tokens, and influencer rules as the baht gained 10% and a Feb. 8 election nears.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission is drafting a new digital-asset rulebook to channel investor demand into regulated markets. The regulator is moving from broad intent to an execution-ready framework for crypto ETFs, futures, and tokenized products. Deputy secretary-general Jomkwan Kongsakul said the guidelines are scheduled for release early this year and will cover crypto exchange-traded funds, crypto futures trading, and tokenized investment instruments. The initiative follows the SEC’s approval of crypto ETFs in principle last year and sets the stage for detailed structure and trading rules for Thai investors.
From ETF rollout to futures and tighter conduct standards
Following the SEC’s approval of crypto ETFs in principle last year, officials say they are now finalizing rules for product design and trading. The plan is to package crypto exposure into a familiar wrapper while keeping custody and wallet risk off the end user’s desk. Asset management companies would work with licensed crypto exchanges to develop ETFs that could list and trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Kongsakul said the core advantage is access, because ETFs reduce hacking and wallet-security worries that have kept many investors on the sidelines in Thailand.
Alongside ETFs, the SEC aims to recognize digital assets as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act, allowing crypto futures to trade on the Thailand Futures Exchange. By anchoring crypto futures in existing law, the regulator is trying to scale oversight with clearer accountability. Kongsakul said legal hurdles slowed earlier efforts, and added the SEC will encourage bond-token issuers into a regulatory sandbox to test products under supervision. The SEC also says higher-risk investors could allocate about 4% to 5% to digital assets, while broadening investment-token varieties beyond bitcoin and ether.
Draft reforms also target market conduct: the SEC wants stricter oversight of financial influencers, saying factual information may not need a licence but return-related recommendations do. Thailand is expanding regulated access while tightening who can influence investor decisioning and under what permissions. The government also plans a first green token to support ESG finance. The push comes as the Bank of Thailand flags uncertainty, citing a baht gain of more than 10% last year and a 19% US tariff effective since August. Thailand faces a Feb. 8 snap election after border fighting with Cambodia.
